Slideshow

One Last Time

"Paul, I'm telling you, if we're late one more time for breakfast, this may be the end of a very short career working for CRWRC. You need to realize that these people are ruthless and any misstep on our part would be certain disaster."

Friday 20 February 2009

Today was to be shorter because it was Friday. Got lots done. Rehinged the bifold door in the master bath. Removed some paneling from the living room and fitted it into a space in the hallway. Removed the counter top in the kitchen and modified the cabinetry to accept the new countertop. Others got a lot done too. Arrived back at Lake Arthur and packed up the car to leave after supper. After supper we were asked to speak about our time in Louisiana and to recap what we learned and experienced. We received gifts from Grace and Tom and proceeded to sing a last song ... God's Been Good To Me. God was good to us and we experienced His love and care through this experience as well as hugs and goodbyes from each and everyone at supper. The little ceremony was quite moving. Thank you all for your support and love that you showed us all week long ... even when we were late for breakfast.

Thursday 19 February 2009

Photo identification ... Back Row left to right ... Nancy and Don Clover, Bernie Baker, Jim Van Farowe, Don Storteboom, Allen Koopmans, Terri Reimink, Elizabeth Kroon and Cor Vandervinne. Next Row ... Len Bakelaar, Gert Baker, Marion DeJong, Joan Van Farowe, Arlene Storteboom, Margaret Koopmans, Arla Reimink, Al Ledeboer. Next Row ... Rynie Bakelaar, Linda DeJong, Ken and Donna Westveer, Paul and Marlene DeVries, Char Ledeboer. Front and Center ... Tom and Grace Silvis.

Lots of new pictures that I will upload when I have more time. Accomplished a goodly amount of work today albeit a lot was nit pickey stuff but Marlene and Rynie and Margaret really hit the painting, sanding, kilz-ing and other related tasks. Had a good dinner tonight and lots of excitement.

More from the house that offers challenges

Al doing soffet and facia work.

Don S looking for electrical ghosts.

Char doing drywall "mudding". Looks like fun, huh?

Don C and Bernard at lunch. Bernie looks like he's doing what he does best.

More Photos from Don Clover

Telephoto view of Don Clover and Bernie Baker having a break for lunch.

The side of a car makes a good rest for a luncheon party. Good food!

Getting ready for the breakfast feedbag.

An evening of computing.

If the house at Cactus was'nt puzzling enough, Nancy continues with puzzling projects even in her time off.

More Jotings from Don and Nancy

Nancy working on a dusty project of drywall sanding. The job that had been done by "professionals" left a lot to be desired, as you can readily see.

A good shot of the porta john in the front yard. We have to protect the toilet paper or it often walks off by itself.

Bernie ... the stud man.

Don S checking out floor issues and looking surprised at being caught on camera.

Lake Arthur Christian Camp

These photos were submitted by Don and Nancy Clover. The pictures with vehicles show the RV area where several volunteers are staying during their time here. The two other pictures are the site where major work is taking place and where major work remains to be done.

Wednesday 18 February 2009

Had the best oatmeal ever ... apples and raisins with a little cinnamon. Also had potatoes and a few other leftovers from the other night ... delicious! Headed for Lake Charles and a stop at Lowe's for some provisions. Here's Len battening down the hatches at Lowe's after picking up a shower and vanity. Headed for the job site and started work. Before you knew it, Arlene, Joan, Tom and Grace were there with Krispy Kreme doughnuts for our break. Got a bunch of things done today ... finished up some trim work, hung some more bi fold doors, managed to get the kitchen cupboards lined up again after the hurricane blew the wall out of plumb and things got squeehawed after they straightened up the exterior. It took some ingenuity, but it's all back to the way it was. Another delicious lunch ... the sandwiches get better and better every day ... I don't know how they do that. Margaret, Rynie and Marlene got lots of painting, sanding, spackling and Kilz'ing done. We removed the wire from the door bell so we could use it and discovered that someone had actually used a smoke detector wall outlet for the doorbell.

Tuesday 17 February 2009

We have been working on Stella Williams house. Our team is fortunate since there are no real problems like some of the other houses ... electrical misswirings, mold, stains, etc. This lady had a tree fall on her house and a lot of water damage was done. She has been very appreciative of our work. Our team made good progress today but there still remains a good deal of work.

Of course when you work hard, you need to eat accordingly. We have been able to eat outside and have enjoyed the balmy weather, in the 60's and the 70's. The sky was overcast all day but we were able to work outside and enjoy the warmth with 20 degree weather on our minds.

Sunset over Lake Arthur

Our dining facility overlooks Lake Arthur. We are afforded very beautiful sunsets. The mornings are beautiful as well and makes for a most wondrous place to begin and end each day.

Monday 16 February 2009

Sunset over Lake Arthur last evening. What a beautiful night

Here's what goes on in the evenings ... some game called Golf using SkipBo cards. Lots of wild and wooley activity.

Today we showed up late to breakfast and almost did'nt get to make a lunch. We will try to do better tomorrow. We arrived at the worksite albeit we had to travel 50 miles in order to get there. We had a very good day. The women got lots of painting done ... something that will save us time in the next days. Len did a wonderful job of framing in the two linen closets and got them drywalled and ready for painting and bifold doors ... maybe even tomorrow. Everyone is extremely upbeat and very helpful. We are having a wonderful time and already are wishing our time could be longer. I forgot to take my camera today but Don Clover in the group is going to download some for me via Terri Reimink's zip drive.

Sunday 15 February 2009

Had a good breakfast at 7:00 am. All together we attended the United Methodist church in Lake Arthur. When the organist left her station during the sermon, she quickly ran and cut all the doughnuts in half after she saw the size of our group. After spending some time chatting with the locals in church we came back to the site and had a regrouping. We set out in three vans and stopped at Shoney's for lunch. Delicious crawfish e'toufee ... a local delicacy. Finished with lunch we all headed for Lake Charles for a visit to the three sites where work would start on Monday. The three are in different phases of reconstruction and all parties were excited about the prospects of a busy day tomorrow.

Saturday - First Day

We arrived in Lake Arthur at about 3:30pm. Checked in and proceeded to check out the Mardi Gras festivities in downtown. Lots of floats and horses. Lots of beads too that now grace towell bars and coat hangers in our room.